The Rio de Janeiro Pan American Games are not just about medals and athletes surpassing their limits. Inside the competition venues, athletes from 42 countries in the Americas do their best to achieve good results. Outside, another kind of "sport" is also proving to be very successful: shopping.

In two of the shops selling official Games products, in the Copacabana and Barra da Tijuca neighborhoods, Rio residents, visitors from other Brazilian states and foreign tourists stand in line and race to buy products at speeds which would be the envy of the athletes competing in the track and field event.

"Since the Games began, there has been much more demand than we expected. We have practically sold out -- all we have left is what you can see here in the shop. And it's not just people from Rio who are buying things. We are selling a lot of mugs to Americans, for example," says Barbara Oliveira, who works as a sales assistant in the official shop in the BarraShopping mall in Barra da Tijuca.

Click on the link below to see the official shop in BarraShopping:

The most popular official products include mugs, keyrings, bookmarks and children's T-shirts, which are some of over 500 products featuring Caue, the little sun which is the Games' mascot. In Copacabana, the official shop's 8,611 square feet is not proving sufficient to deal with so much interest. Patiently waiting their turn, Marcelo and Fernanda Almeida, from Florianopolis in southern Brazil, did not even consider the possibility of not buying the items on their list.

"When we said we would be coming to Rio during the Pan American Games, all of our friends and family asked for souvenirs," says Fernanda. "We are looking for everything from pens to Brazilian team jackets. It's pretty tiring, but it's worth it. Rio is a delightful city and the atmosphere here seems to be even more special because of the Games. It's the fifth time that we've spent a vacation here in the city. Each time we come back, people make us feel even more at home."

There are 52 places selling the Rio Games' official products. Of these, 49 are located inside competition venues or at the Pan American Village. The other three are located on Copacabana Beach (near the famous Copacabana Palace hotel), in the BarraShopping mall and at the headquarters of the Pan American Games' Organizing Committee (CO-RIO), also in Barra da Tijuca, which is exclusively for staff. Tourists may also make purchases online via .

Did you know?

The construction of a religious monument on the Corcovado hill was first suggested in 1859 by Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss. The statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, was only inaugurated in 1931.

Baseball player is captivated by Bonito and Pantanal

Born 24 years ago in Dourados, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in the Central Western region of Brazil, Marcelo Arai is privileged. The Brazilian baseball team's pitcher -- a medal contender at the Rio de Janeiro Pan American Games -- lives near two of the most beautiful natural paradises in the world: the city of Bonito and the Pantanal region.

"I recommend Bonito for those who like to combine adventure with the fascination of discovering natural beauty. It is ideal for sports such as diving and rappeling. And the Pantanal's vastness is mesmerizing. It is not unusual to spend minutes or hours just watching it all in silence. There is so much beauty," says Marcelo.

Ecotourism is the main attraction in both places, which are located in the region known as the "Heart of Brazil". In Bonito, a highlight is the Abismo Anhumas -- literally a "journey to the center of the earth". A descent of 78.7 yards by rappel through a crack in the rocks leads to a cavern with magnificent formations and a lake with crystal-clear waters where one can float and observe the underwater features. Another highlight is the Gruta Azul.

Click on the link below to see a view inside the Gruta Azul, Bonito:

More information about Bonito can be found at

Medals Plaza, a meeting point at the Pan Am Games

Created by the Brazilian Tourism Ministry in partnership with the Pan American Games' Organizing Committee (CO-RIO), the Medals Plaza on Copacabana Beach has become a meeting point for tourists and Rio natives. The space is made up of three large tents offering Internet access, photo opportunities in front of a replica of the Christ the Redeemer statue, and the chance to visit booths displaying typical items from each of the 27 Brazilian states. The area also includes a stage for shows by cultural and folkloric groups from all five regions of Brazil, which take place on a daily basis. Finally, five large screens have been set up on the sand, where the public can watch the Games' main events. The Medals Plaza is open from 2 p.m. to midnight.

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CONTACT: Alexandra Josias of FSB Comunicacoes for Embratur, pan@ or + 55 (61) 8133-2727